Winter Snows in Cousin Country! By Pat Kinsella Herdeg

My husband and I spent the day at Old Sturbridge Village where they held an antique sleigh rally. We saw draft horses, miniature horses, gypsy horses and all sorts of sleighs—Albany Cutters, Portland Cutters, and regular bob sleighs. We saw all sorts of dogs in the sleighs (one of the categories was ‘Sleigh Dogs’, so we voted on the best dog), including a ‘lurcher’ (never heard of it, but one of the only ‘lurchers’ in the US??!). Very fun time, as the horses and dogs and people were all dressed up in olden time costumes and furs. Of course, the two feet of snow helped!

And, as most of you know, we've had snow over a LOT of cousin country these past two weeks. A few pictures are here:

Jack and CB Kinsella's house

These are pictures taken by Uncle Jack of the Kinsella's home in Greece, NY. They got about 13 inches of snow.

Also in Greece, Rick and Laurie Lochner's house:

Rick and Laurie Lochner's House

Laurie must have had yardstick in her lawn--she told me it was 13.1 inches!

Another cousin from Kate Youngs Baker's side, Norma Bruscani, sent a picture from Farmington, NY where they got eight or nine inches of snow:

Norma Bruscani's Home

In Geneva, NY, Mike and Lorraine Maney sent this picture:

The Maney's

And, out in Minnesota, Cousin Diana McCarty sent these pictures:

Diana McCarty's Home

Here in Acton, MA, I took this picture just after our storm dropped 22 inches on us in less than 24 hours:

The Herdeg's House

And, my brother, Tom, in New Jersey HOPED for snow. Here is his picture taken the same day as mine (when we got almost two feet of snow). Notice the cross country skiis by the front door--so hoping to be used!! Tom writes: "I bought those skis, with new boots, last year and have yet to use them. We had less than 2 inches of snow all last winter. For the current season, I imagine our total is around 9 inches, but all in small 1 to 3 inch increments."

Tom Kinsella's Home

Unused Skiis

Thanks to all who sent pictures--great to see them!! And, as the Ides of February are just past us and spring is yet to come, I will end as my brother Tom did in his email to me:

"Much Love; Stay Warm."